Sweethead - Descent To The Surface (2016)

An all-star hard rock unit formed in 2008 by vocalist Serrina Sims and Queens of the Stone Age, A Perfect Circle, and Failure guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen, Los Angeles-based Sweethead also features the talents of bassist Eddie Nappi (Handsome) and drummer Norm Block (Plexi), both of whom also play with the Mark Lanegan Band. Taking their name from David Bowie's lost Ziggy Stardust-era single "Sweet Head," the band draws inspiration from classic punk, goth, glam, and alt-rock, with Van Leeuwen's distinctive guitar playing and Nappi and Block's insistent rhythm work providing the perfect framework for Sims' sultry voice. The group released an EP, The Great Disruptors, in July of 2009, with their eponymous debut long player arriving later that November. A pair of EPs, Reverse Exorcism! and Mortal Panic, followed in 2013 and 2015, respectively. ~ James Christopher Monger